June 14, 2016

Dancing for the children

Vanderbilt University Dance Marathon Vanderbilt Students along with Wynonna Judd, Children's Hospital CEO Luke Gregory, and patients from the Children's Hospital dance at the Dance Marathon. The event raises money for the children's hospital. (Vanderbilt Photo / Daniel Dubois)

Vanderbilt University’s Dance Marathon set a new record in its annual fundraising effort that benefits Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.Dance Marathon, the largest student-led philanthropic organization on Vanderbilt’s campus, raised a record $230,099 in donations this year. The group announced the total at its annual Big Event, a 13.1-hour dance marathon, held on Feb. 20.

Dance Marathon also made Vanderbilt history by raising more money than any other student-led philanthropic organization on campus. The group received 2,286 donations, which will be used to fund a research fellow in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital.

The fundraiser also contributes to the hospital’s Growing to New Heights Campaign, which supports the four-floor expansion atop the existing Children’s Hospital structure.

Since 2003, Dance Marathon has raised more than $1.6 million for Children’s Hospital while encouraging the campus to get into the spirit of the event. The organization engages in yearlong fundraising efforts that culminate in the 13.1-hour event attracting more than 1,000 participants each year.

– by Christina Echegaray